Leadville News – November 19

Shopping: Holiday Fair & “Shop Small” Saturday

As the calendar flips up to the week of Thanksgiving, thoughts turn to turkey and shopping! This past weekend however, saw slow returns for vendors at the Leadville Arts Coalition’s Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair. Leadville Today spoke to several vendors who mentioned that sales were not meeting expectations for an annual event that historically brings out the BIG crowds, resulting in some BIG bucks.

Holiday Fair vendor and Leadville native Howard Tritz (center) sells his unique wood work at the annual arts and crafts event sponsored by the Leadville Arts Coalition. Many of the local artists’ wares will also be available in stores on historic Harrison Avenue, as Leadville celebrates its “Shop Small” program this Saturday, Nov. 25. Let the shopping begin in Leadville Today!

Now, there could be a couple of reasons for that. First, the event which kicked off , as usual, on Friday night, had the weather to contend with. The first real snow storm of the season moved through the mountains all day, and by nightfall, travelers saw nearly white-out conditions. For many commuters, once they finally made it home over icy and snow-packed mountain passes, they chose to stay there. While Saturday saw larger crowds, there were not near the numbers that the holiday fair has drawn in the past.

Secondly, many nearby communities were also hosting their holiday fairs on Saturday, including Buena Vista which usually sees shoppers coming to Leadville. But alas, there are only so many days packed into the holidays season, and no one has figured out a way to control Mother Nature, so if you missed out on scooping up some great wares made by local folks, take heart! You’ve got another chance, coming up this Saturday, Nov. 25. See story below for details.

Tis the season for shopping and smiles as Grandma Tammie Ayers and grandson Luke Ayers (who was also celebrating his 5th birthday on Saturday, greeted shoppers at the Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, sponsored by the Leadville Arts Coalition (LAC). MORE PHOTOS.

“Shop Small” Next Saturday in Leadville

Fortunately, many of the goods sold from vendors at the LAC Holiday Fair last Saturday will also be available in Leadville shops on historic Harrison Avenue next Saturday, Nov. 25! So locals and visitors will have another chance to support local artists and craftspeople at the “Shop Small” event. Hosted by the Leadville/Lake County Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the City of Leadville’s local program to support businesses on Leadville’s main street, the “Shop Small” event is intended to encourage shoppers to keep their dollars in town.

“We will have a booth welcome station set up at the Visitor Center parking lot,” explains Leadville’s Administrative Services Manager Sarah Dallas. “Shoppers can pick up tote bags and Shop Leadville SWAG, learn about business specials in the community, and get a passport to be entered to win a Leadville gift basket.”

At the welcome station from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. visitors can pick up special shopping “Passports,” which once stamped with the official requirements, will enter them into the BIG drawing. In order to qualify, according to Dallas, shoppers will have to show three gift shop or store purchases, as well as one food or beverage purchase.

The aim of the “Shop Small” program is to encourage locals and visitors to SHOP LEADVILLE and make it their destination for the holiday season. For more information, contact the chamber at 719-486-3900. For those wishing to participate this Saturday, The Visitor Center is located at 809 Harrison Avenue, across from Leadville City Hall.